UK's first Trappist beer since Henry VIII now available to pubs

Robyn Black is Inapub's drinks expert and editor. Follow her on Twitter @MrsRobynBlack

2nd October 2018

Monks at the Mount Bernard Abbey in Leicestershire have become one of only 12 breweries in the world to earn the name Trappist.

Trappist beers must be brewed within an abbey by monks, or under their supervision, and brewing must be of secondary importance to the monastery's other work and way of life. Brewing beer must not make profits and proceeds should go towards the monks' living expenses, upkeep of the grounds and to help charitable causes.

The monks at Mount Bernard Abbey started planning their new brewery in 2013 after they closed down their dairy farm, which was deemed economically unviable.

They have created a 7.4 per cent ABV ale called Tynt Meadow (the area where the monks originally settled in 1835), which was unveiled in July. It is now on sale at the abbey and in specialist beer shops.

Belgium has six of the world's 12 Trappist breweries and there are two in the Netherlands and one each in Austria, Italy and the United States.

Beer brewed by monks was common in Britain during the Middle Ages but the practice died out after the dissolution of the monasteries during the Reformation.

The 330ml amber beer bottles were designed by Beatson Clark and feature green crown closures and the brewery's logo.

"This is a historic and very exciting development for lovers of traditional beer and Beatson Clark was really pleased to have been asked to supply the bottles for this new beer," said Jonathan Clark, account manager.

Robyn Black is Inapub's drinks expert and editor. Follow her on Twitter @MrsRobynBlack